If Your Computer Detects You Laughing At This Patent Drawing, You May Have Infringed On The Patent

from the laugh,-it's-funny dept

ChurchHatesTucker alerts us to the news that Sony has applied for a patent on an emotion detection device that could, for example, recognize when someone viewing a television or playing a video game is laughing. I don't have much of an opinion one way or another on the actual patent application, but (like others on the original article about this) did find the patent drawing to be rather amusing:

Of course, if you laugh at that, and your computer detects it, you may be infringing. So... be careful.

Re:

but at least patents will hinder the advancement of this sort of technology. So there, a good reason for patents to exist, it could hinder the advancement of technology that could be used to invade our privacy or control us.

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No Worries

Per the drawing, the patent would only apply to watching a cartoon character having someting rather odd done to its bottom. And, only while watching said cartoon character on a Sony Bravia connected to a Playstation. All whilest sitting on a funky armchair.
Did Sony really submit that cartoon with the application?
How does the equipment know you're laughing at something on the TV as opposed to something someone else in the room said or did?

You're all missing the point

If you do not see the in that diagram a clear representation of how international corporations like Sony see the general public, and the implied insult within, then I'm a little dissapointed in the Tech Dirt community.

Why is that thoughtless cattle on the couch laughing at an idiotic picture of a guy operating a machine that paddles himself on the television? And more importantly, what does that say about how corporate executives view the perceived intellectual chasm between themselves and their customers, and the general public.

Re: You're all missing the point

That is about the gulf I see between me an my users (work in IT). What i want to know, is the patent only viable if you have number 17? last time i checked I don't form talk bubbles when i laugh or talk.

Re: You're all missing the point

'Man paddles self with machine' is highly likely to be the very height of their humour, it's probably considered a seminal moment in hilarity in most board rooms worldwide

So they aren't necessarily intending to paint you all as humourless idiots, they are probably just blissfully aware of their own status. There is indeed a chasm but it's not necessarily in their minds (actually that's exactly where it is but you get the idea)

A system that detects the emotions of an observer of the system seems novel to me. Though I do not want it in my house.

How is laughing at the picture a possible infringment?

Its not patent on laughing its a patent on detecting laughing. So you would only be infringing if you build one just like it. If you build one with some other kinds of sensors and/or different processing of the inputs and that would be unique and patentable too.

Its all about the game...

Ok I think a lot of people here missed the point of the motion device. Its not an invasion of privacy... it is specifically for gaming, they aren't going to be allowing this information to be sent back to sony for obvious reasons legal reasons... but both Sony and Microsoft are in the planning stages of releasing the next big system... both of which incorporate motion sensitive controlers. Say you are playing the latest SoCom game, to duck and fire and rally your troops you would have to say it, actually get down on your belly and pull some fake trigger. I hope this clears this stuff up for those of you are are running and screaming invasion of privacy.

Re: Re: Its all about the game...

behavior, not emotion

The device is a behavior detection device, not an emotion detection device. It is detecting physical human behaviors that, perhaps, are correlated with emotion. It does not directly detect emotions, which are affective states.

I have no idea what this mistake does to the validity of the patent application.

stupid branding

they know you guys posts these pictures all over the web, and that's why they have SONY, BRAVIA, and PLAYSTATION 3 in obnoxiously large letters in the drawing. you guys are now advertising for sony... for free.